Educator Preparation Program Technical Assistance Specialist (Education Specialist IV)

Agency Information Texas Education Agency (TEA) oversees primary and secondary public education in Texas and is committed to improving outcomes for all public school students by providing leadership, guidance, and support to school systems across the state. Core Values We are Determined: We are committed and intentional in pursuing our primary purpose of improving outcomes for students. We are People-Centered: We strive to attract, develop, and retain committed talent that reflects the diversity of Texas, with each individual contributing to our shared vision for students. We are Learners: We seek evidence, reflect on outcomes, and continuously improve in pursuit of excellence for students. We are Servant Leaders: We are public servants committed to improving opportunities for students and supporting those who serve them. Job Description Educator Preparation Program Technical Assistance Specialist will play a key role in enhancing the future of educator effectiveness in Texas. The specialist will support the execution of the statewide technical assistance strategy for Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs), ensuring implementation of the requirements of House Bill 2 so that educator preparation programs can develop, implement, and sustain high-quality preparation pathways that meet the requirements of the Preparing and Retaining Educators through Partnership (PREP) allotment program. This role supports implementation of the PREP technical assistance strategy across two primary workstreams: (1) Preservice Preparation Pathways (Residency, Pre-Service Alternative, and Traditional certification routes) and (2) Grow Your Own (GYO) initiatives. Responsibilities across these areas include implementation management, vendor oversight, deliverable quality assurance, and stakeholder communication. The distribution of effort across functions reflects the relative scope and scale of each workstream. This position performs complex consultative and technical assistance work related to an agency educational program. This position will report to the Deputy Director of EPP Technical Assistance. The Educator Preparation Technical Assistance Specialist will play a pivotal role in supporting the Texas Education Agency's strategic priority to recruit, support, and retain teachers and principals. This position requires up to 25% travel, based on business needs, to support program initiatives, collaboration, and operational priorities. Flexible work location within the state of Texas may be considered for qualified candidates. Please note that a resume, tailored cover letter, and short answer responses are required attachments for applying to this position. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants who are strongly being considered for employment must submit to a national criminal history background check. Essential Functions Job duties are not limited to the essential functions mentioned below. You may perform other functions as assigned. Support Implementation of PREP Preservice Technical Assistance and Program Supports: Support the review and quality assurance of vendor deliverables related to preservice preparation technical assistance, including work plans, implementation resources, tools, and progress updates to ensure alignment with agency priorities, quality expectations, and program requirements. Monitor implementation milestones, track deliverable completion, identify potential risks, and elevate issues requiring leadership attention. Coordinate communication and feedback between vendors and internal TEA teams to strengthen deliverable quality and implementation outcomes. Support Implementation of PREP Grow Your Own Technical Assistance and Program Supports: Support the review and quality assurance of vendor deliverables related to PREP Grow Your Own technical assistance, including work plans, implementation resources, tools, and progress updates to ensure alignment with agency priorities, quality expectations, and program requirements. Monitor implementation milestones, track deliverable completion, identify potential risks, and elevate issues requiring leadership attention. Coordinate communication and feedback between vendors and internal TEA teams to strengthen deliverable quality and implementation outcomes. Manage Participant Communication Supports related to Technical Assistance Implementation: Manage participant communication efforts supporting implementation of statewide technical assistance. Develop and deliver recurring participant communications, targeted outreach, presentations, and implementation updates. Maintain and organize technical assistance resources and participant materials within agency web-based platforms to support consistent access to information. Stakeholder Engagement and Change Management: Support stakeholder engagement and change management activities related to educator preparation initiatives. Coordinate communications, meetings, and feedback processes that promote awareness and implementation of program priorities. Develop guidance documents, communication materials, and presentations that translate complex policy and program requirements into clear, actionable information for diverse audiences. Support alignment among internal and external stakeholders to facilitate successful implementation of technical assistance initiatives. Qualifications Minimum Qualifications Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university Experience: At least four (4) years of experience in the education field Substitutions: An advanced degree may substitute for two years of required experience Other Qualifications Share the belief that all Texas students can achieve at high levels and are able to succeed in college, career, or the military Experience applying and developing others in the best practices of effective teaching and learning Knowledge of best practices in educator preparation, support, and development Proven experience in designing and leading effective professional learning for educators, including professional learning related to accelerating student learning, increasing instructional rigor, and/or high-quality instructional material implementation Capable of working with a variety of stakeholders through small and large group facilitation opportunities Expert in long-term project planning, including establishing outcomes, determining evaluative measures, and tracking progress Adept with balancing the demands of multiple projects at different stages of development while maintaining quality and consistency across all work with periodic job and task ambiguity Superior and effective professional verbal and written communication skills, including development of appropriate guidance documents and effective presentations Communicates complex ideas into practical and accessible language A desire to self‑reflect, give/receive feedback and continuously improve Benefits TEA employees receive a comprehensive benefits package through the State of Texas and the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS), supporting health, financial security, and work‑life balance. Benefits include: Retirement through ERS and employer‑paid health insurance for eligible employees Optional dental, vision, and dependent coverage Paid state holidays, vacation leave, sick leave, and longevity pay Wellness programs, employee assistance programs, and professional development opportunities Eligibility for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program To learn more about benefits available to State of Texas employees, please review the State of Texas Employee Benefits brochure and visit the TEA Compensation and Benefits page. Military/Veteran Information Applicants eligible for Military Employment Preference will be considered in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations. To explore how military experience may align with this role, applicants may review Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes within the State's Position Classification Plan. Please refer to the Military Crosswalk and select the occupational category that most closely corresponds with the classification listed in this job posting. Additional Information TEA is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal and state nondiscrimination laws. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or veteran status. TEA does not sponsor or assume sponsorship of employment visas. This position requires the applicant to meet Agency standards and criteria which may include passing a pre‑employment criminal background check, prior to being offered employment by the Agency. To learn more about working at TEA, including hiring timelines, process details, and candidate resources, please visit the Careers at TEA page. Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to accept phone calls or respond to all email inquiries. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. 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